Articles tagged with Seizures
A new study published in JAMA Neurology reveals that a minimally invasive procedure can help identify patients with drug-resistant epilepsy who are suitable for brain surgery. The procedure produces more favorable outcomes among patients, including reduced complications and increased likelihood of seizure freedom.
Scientists at UT Southwestern Medical Center have developed a method to predict epileptic seizures at least four minutes in advance using EEG monitoring. The study shows that delivering an edible acid called acetate can prevent seizures if detected early, providing new potential therapy options.
The Vilcek Foundation awards $250,000 Prizes to immigrant scientists Angelika Amon, Amit Choudhary, Jeanne T. Paz, and Mikhail G. Shapiro for their pioneering work in human biology and disease research. Their discoveries have significant implications for understanding cell growth, cancer, and neurological disorders.
The study found that benzodiazepine prescriptions for anxiety increased from 3.8% to 7.4% over the 12-year period, with primary care physicians accounting for half of all visits. The growing use of benzodiazepines has led to an increase in overdose deaths, prompting a need for addressing prescribing patterns.
A protein-secreting device implanted into the hippocampus of epileptic rats reduced seizures by 93% in three months, improving anxiety-like symptoms and cognitive performance. The effects persisted even after device removal, indicating a possible modification of disease progression.
Researchers have identified a cellular response to repeated concussions that may contribute to seizures in mice. A unique population of astrocytes responded to these injuries, leading to spontaneous recurrent seizures in some mice within one month. This study establishes a new animal model for post-traumatic epilepsy research.
A new study found that ketogenic supplements can delay tonic-clonic seizures caused by high levels of oxygen, even in a normal diet. The supplements increased blood ketone levels, providing therapeutic ketosis and resistance to seizures.
Researchers identified a key factor leading to epileptic seizures by analyzing changes in the temporal lobe cortex of a rat brain. The study found that excessive excitation of neurons, triggered by calcium-permeable AMPA receptors, increases the risk of convulsive discharges.
A new neurostimulator, WAND, can stimulate and record electric current in the brain simultaneously, potentially delivering fine-tuned treatments to patients with diseases like epilepsy and Parkinson's. This closed-loop system allows for real-time adjustments, enabling improved outcomes and accessibility.
Researchers at Texas A&M University have made a breakthrough in treating epilepsy by using stem cell-derived neurons to stop seizures and improve cognitive function. The study showed that transplanted human GABAergic neurons formed synapses with host excitatory neurons and were directly involved in controlling seizures.
Researchers have discovered a potential treatment for chronic epilepsy using human induced pluripotent stem cells. The study found that grafting these cells into the hippocampus can alleviate symptoms of chronic epilepsy, including reduced seizure frequency and improved cognitive function.
A recent study found a higher than anticipated number of seizures in infant patients monitored with continuous EEG. The research identified conditions associated with seizures and suggests cEEG monitoring may be valuable for diagnosing neurological problems in patients under 14 months old.
A recent analysis of published studies suggests that cannabidiol, a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, can reduce seizures in children with severe forms of epilepsy. The median frequency of monthly seizures decreased with cannabidiol treatment, with many participants experiencing a 50% or greater reduction.
People with epilepsy living in high-crime Chicago neighborhoods have three times as many seizures as those in low-crime areas, a new study finds. The researchers used data from 63 participants and found that those in high-crime neighborhoods experienced an average of seven seizures over 90 days.
Scientists at UNC School of Medicine discovered that replacing the faulty UBE3A gene in children's brains can prevent seizures, but not in adults. The study suggests a window of opportunity for prevention between early childhood and adulthood.
A recent study published in Pediatric Research found that children who received wishes were 2.5 times more likely to have fewer unplanned hospital admissions and 1.9 times less likely to use the emergency department. This led to a decline in healthcare costs, even after accounting for the average cost of the wish.
A new high-tech bracelet, Nightwatch, detects 85% of all severe night-time epilepsy seizures and can save thousands of lives. The device recognizes key characteristics of severe attacks and sends wireless alerts to carers or nurses.
A 2018 study from Nova Scotia found that seizures of illicit cigarettes decreased significantly between 2007-08 and 2017-18, with no statistically significant increase after the 2015 menthol ban. The prevalence of illegal tobacco in the province also decreased from 30% to less than 10%.
A comprehensive epidemiological study published in Neurology reveals that women with epilepsy are at a significantly increased risk of mortality during pregnancy. Despite the small absolute risk, the probability must be multiplied by five, making pregnant women with epilepsy a critical group to follow closer.
The study uses genetic matching and port data to identify the three largest cartels involved in African elephant ivory trade. The researchers hope their findings can help police this illegal trade and strengthen ongoing cases against particular cartels.
Researchers linked 11 large ivory shipments to the same networks using DNA testing, revealing connections between isolated seizures and identifying key trafficking hubs. This breakthrough helps officials track and build evidence against those responsible for the bulk of illegal ivory trade.
Researchers identified a neuronal BRAF somatic mutation causing intrinsic epileptogenicity in pediatric brain tumors, leading to a potential new therapeutic target. The mutation arose from neural stem cells and was found to alleviate seizures in animal models treated with the BRAF inhibitor Vemurafenib.
A study of over 1,000 patients with epilepsy found that seizures are linked to natural rhythms in around 80% of cases, with most occurring in a circadian rhythm. Weekly and longer cycles were also detected, with two-thirds of people having multiple types of cycles associated with their seizures.
Researchers have successfully implanted a device in mice brains to detect, stop and prevent epileptic seizures. The device uses a neurotransmitter to signal to neurons to stop firing, effectively ending the seizure. Early results show promising potential for treating conditions like Parkinson's disease and brain tumors.
A team of researchers at University of Alabama at Birmingham has identified a sentinel area of the brain that may give an early warning before clinical seizure manifestations appear. An algorithm was also developed to automatically detect this early warning, allowing for neurostimulation of the sentinel area to potentially block seizures.
Researchers have developed high-tech tools to identify the genetic cause of early childhood seizures, a rare disease that can lead to intellectual impairment and early death. The new approach uses computational tools to analyze genetic data and pinpoint changes in the genome responsible for disease development.
A study by University of Melbourne researchers reveals that clinically relevant epileptic seizure prediction is possible in a wider range of patients than previously thought. The crowdsourcing of over 10,000 algorithms worldwide led to an average 90% improvement in seizure prediction performance compared to previous results.
Researchers found that the left hemisphere of the boy's brain compensated for visual tasks, but he couldn't see the left half of the world. Despite losing parts of his visual system, UD performed normally on pattern perception and had age-appropriate intellect and language skills.
A study published in Cell Reports found that a child's brain can reorganize its visual system after losing parts of the visual cortex. The child, UD, had nearly half of his right hemisphere removed due to epilepsy, but his brain compensated by using the intact left hemisphere for tasks like facial recognition and object analysis.
For adults with non-index seizures, ED neuroimaging is associated with a 3% change in patient management. Clinical factors like acute head trauma, prolonged consciousness, and focal neurological examination increase the yield of imaging tests.
Two full-term newborns with ruptured myelomeningoceles developed multi-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii meningitis. They were treated with intravenous colistin, resulting in favorable outcomes. The cases highlight the challenges of treating hospital-acquired infections in neonates.
Infected mice developed seizures, motor function impairment, and memory issues as adults, with reduced muscle strength and increased inflammation. Targeting TNF-α inhibition may alleviate some long-term consequences of neonatal Zika infection.
Researchers developed a mouse model to investigate the potential long-term symptoms of congenital Zika virus infection, finding weight loss, cognitive deficits, and impaired motor function. Infliximab, a TNF-α inhibitor, showed promise in reducing seizures in young mice, offering new hope for public health crisis
A Penn Medicine study reveals that early-life seizures can lead to premature activation of synapses tied to learning and language skills in children with autism. The researchers found that an antiepileptic drug may keep these synapses 'silent' longer, allowing the brain to develop normally.
Researchers at the University of Sydney have developed a generalized method to predict epileptic seizures using data from non-surgical devices powered by AI and machine learning. The system can alert epilepsy sufferers within 30 minutes of the likelihood of a seizure, with an accuracy rate of up to 81.4%.
Researchers found that the ketogenic diet alters gut microbiota in mice, leading to reduced seizures. Specifically, two types of bacteria - Akkermansia muciniphila and Parabacteroides species - play a key role in providing protection against seizures.
A new study found that cannabidiol significantly reduces seizures in patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, a rare and severe form of epilepsy. The trial showed a 41.9% reduction in drop seizures for the 20 mg/kg/d CBD regimen, highlighting the potential effectiveness of Epidiolex as an treatment option.
Researchers at the University of Kentucky have discovered a potential target for treating epilepsy seizures: cPLA2, an enzyme that contributes to blood-brain barrier dysfunction. Blocking this enzyme may prevent changes in barrier leakage, offering new hope for patients who do not respond well to current medications.
Researchers at Lund University discovered a new approach to treat severe epilepsy by targeting a specific brain area, reducing seizure activity. This breakthrough method, using chemogenetics, may pave the way for improved treatment options for thousands of people in Sweden affected by the disease.
Researchers discover urethane, a compound formed during beer and wine fermentation, is more effective at combating seizures caused by organophosphate nerve agents than the current recommended treatment. The study suggests urethane or its derivative may prevent seizures from developing into epilepsy.
Researchers identified a seizure-triggered pathway that contributes to blood-brain barrier dysfunction in epilepsy. Blocking the activity of an enzyme called cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) prevented capillary leakage and associated changes.
Researchers developed a novel method to detect ongoing seizures in comatose patients using brain waves converted to sound. The sonification of EEG provides a potential tool for quickly assessing patients with suspected subclinical seizures like nonconvulsive status epilepticus.
A new brain stethoscope technology has been developed that translates brain electrical activity into sounds, allowing medical professionals to detect silent seizures. Medical students and nurses were found to be remarkably accurate in identifying seizures with this tool, outperforming their traditional diagnostic abilities.
Researchers at Syracuse University have identified a key protein and enzyme involved in regulating seizures, finding that T-cell intracellular antigen-1 (TIA-1) suppresses severe electrical storms in the brain by increasing cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression in neurons.
A review of available evidence suggests that cannabis compound cannabidiol (CBD) may curb the frequency of epileptic seizures, particularly in children and teens with rare and severe forms of epilepsy. CBD was found to be more effective than a placebo at reducing seizure frequency by 50% or more, and improving quality of life.
The University of Cincinnati has received a $1.75 million grant to study signaling pathways underlying the development of acquired epilepsy. Researchers aim to prevent seizures without side effects, addressing a pressing need in epilepsy treatment.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine discovered that a specific set of nerve cells, known as mossy cells, controls the spread of seizures throughout the brain. Inactivating these cells facilitates the spread of electrical hyperactivity, leading to full-blown behavioral symptoms of temporal lobe epilepsy.
A new study published in Science suggests that loss of mossy cells plays a critical role in both convulsive seizures and memory problems associated with temporal lobe epilepsy. In a mouse model, researchers found that turning on mossy cells prevented seizures from transitioning into convulsions.
A recent study found that learning stress-reducing techniques can significantly reduce the frequency of seizures in people with difficult-to-treat epilepsy. Participants who learned progressive muscle relaxation and breathing techniques experienced a 29% decrease in seizures, while those in the control group had a 25% reduction.
A University of Houston biomedical engineer has developed a new method to locate the brain's seizure onset zone in record time, reducing hospitalization time from up to 10 days to just one hour. This breakthrough could save patients weeks of treatment and improve their quality of life.
A phase 3 clinical trial found that cannabidiol reduced the number of drop seizures in patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome by 43.9% compared to placebo. However, long-term efficacy and safety concerns remain to be confirmed.
A large-scale study found subtle brain abnormalities in people with epilepsy, even in those with typical seizures under control. The researchers identified reduced grey matter thickness and volume in various brain regions, including the cortex and thalamus, associated with longer duration of epilepsy.
Researchers developed a probabilistic modeling approach using artificial intelligence techniques to predict seizure-generating brain regions from non-seizure data. This could significantly improve the accuracy and reduce the time needed for identifying these regions, potentially transforming the field of epilepsy surgery.
A new study suggests a shared genetic susceptibility between epilepsy and mood disorders, particularly in individuals with focal epilepsy. The study found a significant increase in lifetime prevalence of mood disorders among people with focal epilepsy compared to those with generalized epilepsy.
Researchers found a possible genetic connection between seizures and mood disorders like depression in people with focal epilepsy, which may improve quality of life. Mood disorders were not linked to generalized epilepsy.
A small pilot study found one sign of CTE in a younger person with epilepsy, but no unique characteristics compared to other participants. Researchers suggest that tau protein deposits may not contribute to cognitive impairment in young patients with localized seizures.
Researchers at UCSF have discovered monthly cycles of brain activity linked to seizures in patients with epilepsy. By analyzing data from implanted brain stimulation devices, the team identified patterns of electrical discharges known as 'brain irritability' that are associated with higher seizure risk.
Experts warn of a significant peak in chocolate poisoning risk for dogs during Christmas and Easter, due to increased accessibility of festive treats. Researchers analyzed 386 cases of dog intoxication from UK veterinary practices between 2012-2017, finding vomiting, heart rate increases, and agitation were common symptoms.
A study published in The Lancet Child and Adolescent Health found that prolonged convulsive seizures in childhood can lead to lasting neurological conditions, including epilepsy, learning disabilities, and movement problems. Children with pre-existing neurological issues were more likely to experience chronic problems after a seizure.
Fetal monitoring specialists argue that continuous electronic monitoring is associated with lower infant mortality and should be used for all women in labor. However, other experts claim that the practice increases intervention rates and may not prevent neonatal deaths, suggesting a reevaluation of its benefits.